The Konoha Council chamber buzzed with tension as Ashura calmly sipped his tea. Around the table sat the heads of major clans, along with Hashirama and Tobirama. The topic of discussion: the exact nature of his position within the village.
"With all due respect, Elder Ashura," Shimura Katō, head of the Shimura clan, spoke carefully, "your academy's independence from standard village protocols is... unprecedented."
"Is it?" Ashura set down his cup. "The Senju clan's private training methods remain their own. The Uchiha's doujutsu techniques are not shared freely. Why should the healing arts I teach be any different?"
"But your students come from multiple clans," another council member argued. "Even from outside the village."
"Indeed." Ashura's voice remained mild, but his presence seemed to fill the room. "Because illness and injury care not for clan boundaries or village politics. Tell me, when your children are sick, do you first question the political allegiance of the medicine that might save them?"
Several council members shifted uncomfortably. Already, Ashura's healing arts had saved numerous lives in the month since his return. His students, though few, showed remarkable progress.
Tobirama leaned forward. "Perhaps a compromise. Your academy maintains its independence in teaching methods, but accepts oversight in terms of security and—"
A subtle pulse of power rippled through the room, causing everyone present to freeze momentarily. Ashura hadn't moved, hadn't changed his expression, but suddenly breathing felt... heavier.
"Young Tobirama," he said softly, "your concern for village security is admirable. However, let me be clear: my academy's protection is absolute. Anyone attempting to spy on or interfere with my students will be... discouraged."
To emphasize his point, he gestured to a corner of the room. A concealed ANBU operative became visible, bound by invisible force, having been caught attempting to observe the meeting with a specialized technique.
"Your root division is skilled," Ashura commented as Tobirama's eyes widened. "But they should avoid testing my boundaries."
Hashirama cleared his throat. "Elder Ashura has my complete trust. His academy will maintain its independence while remaining affiliated with Konoha. This is not up for debate."
"But Hokage-sama—"
"Tell me," Ashura interrupted gently, "how many lives were lost in the recent skirmish with Cloud nin? Not from combat, but from infected wounds and chakra complications afterward?"
Silence fell. The answer was seventeen.
"My first batch of students completes their basic training next week. Had they been ready sooner, those deaths could have been prevented." Ashura stood smoothly. "I have no interest in village politics or power struggles. My goal is to teach those with aptitude to heal and protect life. If that troubles you, consider this: healthy shinobi fight better than wounded ones."
He moved toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and Shimura-san? The poison your clan recently acquired from Rain Country won't work on my students. Their... resistance to such things is part of their training. Good day."
The council chamber erupted in whispers as he left. Outside, a young Hiruzen Sarutobi waited nervously with several other potential students.
"Elder Ashura! Did the council... I mean, will the academy...?"
"Lessons begin at dawn," Ashura replied with a gentle smile. "Though I suggest leaving your root division mask at home, young one. My academy focuses on healing arts, not assassination techniques."
Hiruzen paled, but Ashura was already walking away. As he headed back to the academy, his Divine Sense detected Tobirama following at a distance.
"You can join us openly," he called without turning. "Your sensor abilities are impressive. They could be even better."
Tobirama appeared beside him. "You know things you shouldn't possibly know."
"I know many things. Including that your concern for the village, while admirable, sometimes blinds you to wider possibilities." Ashura gestured to the academy building ahead. "Come. Watch a lesson. Perhaps you'll understand why independence from political oversight is crucial for what I teach."
Later that evening, after demonstrating a particularly advanced healing technique to a stunned Tobirama, Ashura stood on the academy's roof. His Divine Sense reached out to his hidden cave, where Izuna was making excellent progress.
*The foundations are being laid*, he thought. *Though some seem determined to test their strength.*
As if on cue, his Divine Sense detected three more root division operatives attempting to breach his academy's formation arrays. With a slight smile, he activated one of his more... instructive defensive measures.
The startled yelps and sudden appearance of three dizzy ANBU hanging upside down from tree branches would certainly give the evening patrol something to talk about.
*Let them test*, he mused. *Each failure teaches its own lesson.*
Above, in his hidden sanctuary, Izuna paused in his cultivation. "Master, was that really necessary?"
"Consider it a practical demonstration," Ashura replied through their connection. "Now, focus on your breakthrough attempt. And try not to laugh too hard at your former colleagues. It disturbs the spiritual energy."
The night settled peacefully over Konoha as Ashura returned to preparing the next day's lessons. Some boundaries needed to be established firmly, after all, and he'd always believed in teaching by example.
Even if some examples required hanging elite shinobi from trees like festival decorations.